Villages affected as check dam across wild stream in ruins

TRICHY: The check dam constructed across the Karaathu stream, flowing from Marungapuri taluk, which irrigates dry lands is in a ruined state. Despite repeated representations by farmers and residents of various villages situated along the stream appealing to PWD Ariyar division authorities to renovate the structure, nothing has been done so far, farmers alleged. The check dam was constructed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh across the Karaathu stream that originates from Karuppur in Marungapuri taluk and enters into Pudukottai district passing villages including Rasapatti, Kannipatti, Aamanakkampatti, Thathanur and V Idaiyapatti. It was constructed under the National Rural Drinking Water scheme in 2010-2011 in V Idaiyapatti. “Since Marungapuri taluk is rain-fed, our forefathers had already established hundreds of small ponds and lakes across the taluk. Moreover, farmers have dug a number of irrigation wells too for their own use. Due to severe drought, farmers could not take up cultivation on their lands in the last few years,”said Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam affiliated to CPI. “Delta districts have been witnessing steady intermittent rains during the last one week. However, as the entire structure is in a dilapidated condition, it would not help in storing a single drop of water,” he added.

“The authorities from PWD – Ariyar division, should take immediate steps to rebuild the check dam in such a way to store considerable volume of water, which would be helpful for farmers as well as the residents of the villages who are facing acute drinking water scarcity during summers,” said Ayilai Sivasuruyan. When contacted, officials said that they would look into the issue and do the needful.